Which body has the authority to propose a constitutional amendment?

The authority to propose a constitutional amendment in the United States lies with Congress and state legislatures. This dual mechanism is outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution, which specifies that amendments can be proposed either by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures.

Congress is the primary federal legislative body responsible for initiating the amendment process, demonstrating the role of elected representatives in shaping constitutional law. Additionally, involving state legislatures provides a means for state-level involvement in amending the Constitution, reflecting the federal nature of the U.S. government. This structure ensures that both national and state interests can be considered in the amendment process, highlighting the collaborative aspect of American governance.

The other options like the President, the Supreme Court, and state governors do not have the authority to initiate amendments, as their roles are defined differently within the framework of the Constitution. Presidents can influence public opinion and policy but cannot directly propose amendments, while the Supreme Court interprets the Constitution rather than altering it. State governors similarly do not have a direct role in proposing constitutional amendments, emphasizing that this process is specifically reserved for Congress and state legislatures.